12 hours ago
Call for law to ensure rights of domestic workers
Confederation of Free Trade Unions of India (CFTUI) national president N. Kanaka Rao on Monday (June 16) demanded that the Centre enact a comprehensive law to ensure the rights of domestic workers such as minimum wages, social security and legal protection as per International Labour Organisation Convention no. 189.
The CFTUI organised a meeting with domestic workers on the occasion of the 15th International Domestic Workers' Day here. Addressing the participants, Mr. Kanaka Rao said 43 countries have ratified this landmark agreement and expanded the rights of domestic workers, while 56 countries have implemented labour reforms to protect the rights of domestic workers owing to the tireless efforts of many trade unions and social organisations around the world.
He explained that CFTUI represents the largest number of domestic workers among all trade unions in India. But, despite the adoption of the agreement, in the past 14 years, despite several struggles led by domestic workers' associations and social organisations, the Indian government has not framed any special law for domestic workers.
Expressing concern at the plight of domestic workers in the informal sector of work in India, the CFTUI president said they were largely excluded from the ambit of labour laws. He said a division bench comprising Justice Suryakant and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan had issued an order on the lack of legal protection for domestic workers in India. The court had said it was the Constitutional responsibility of the government to protect the oppressed classes.
The bench had directed the Centre to constitute an expert committee comprising the departments of Labour and Employment, Social Justice and Empowerment, Women and Child Development and Law to examine the condition of domestic workers and recommend appropriate legislative measures.
He said that the committee was supposed to submit its report within six months, but no action has been taken even after five months of the Supreme Court's order. On the occasion of International Domestic Workers' Day, he demanded that the Centre immediately frame a comprehensive national law for domestic workers.
